I think mac playing zak in the centre a couple of times this year, had more to do with Watkins being injured tbh. I think some people expect all players are machines off the pitch, and forget they still have lives to live away from it. I've heard numerous rumblings about mac not being happy with zak, and zak is to big for his boots and the players don't like his attitude. It's all rubbish, he's extremely highly rated, and his playing for the club he's supported as a boy.

A couple of seasons ago I said Hardaker was the natural successor to Senior. I've not seen a great deal to change my mind. He is however probably the best British FB now that Tomkins has left SL, but that is because there is no competition at the moment.

the trouble is he nearly always cut back in off his right foot. the year before he played right centre and looked far more comfortable, scoring a great hat trick at huddersfield in the play offs

To be fair, I can think of another centre from Featherstone who didn't have a bad career, despite not having much else in his locker than a big inside step and a decent fend...

Hardaker was at left centre for that Hudds playoff game. He switched back over to the right for the final 2 matches once Ablett had recovered from injury.

not in 2014 he is about to start a testimonial

According to the YEP we are close to announcing the arrival of Aiton from Wakey!!

The great FBs of recent times that I can remember had more to their games than power & pace, which as Hardaker continues to grow will be his main weapons.

Who have you got in mind? I think to be fair, Hardaker has more than pace and power. He has a great step, but more than that is a beautifully balanced runner. He's also a pretty good support player.

That'll flog some season tickets.

Has he been employed to work int he ticket office?


I hope to be proved wrong, but I am getting that Millard feeling about this signing...

Who know's what the conditions of employment will entail.

If we do sign him (which looks likely) McShane looks doomed here and I also hope we play him as a proper hooker, so start him and give him the best chance. Instead of the sporadic manner in which McShane was used.

Billy Slater, Brent Webb, Richie Barnett, Graham Steadman, Minichello, Hayne, Bowen, Tomkins, Gidley, Gary Jack…………Paul Wellens (goes without saying really). Who rely on footwork, pace, acceleration, balance, positioning, timing, rather than sheer power. I have not seen Inglis play FB but would guess he bucks the trend a bit.

I'm not going to put Hardaker in the same bracket as those players, but I think he curently relies more on footwork, angles and balance than on power. Whether that changes as he gets older and fills out remains to be seen. I think he's good enough to reach the heights that some of those above have (probably not all - Billy Slater is probably the best full back I'll ever see) if he keeps improving.

I don't think he will be selected. McDermott has to fit Sutcliffe, McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield and Ward into the 17.